Improved sealant liquid container and kit comprising such a container

ABSTRACT

A container for sealant liquid to repair an inflatable article, preferably pneumatic, comprises a shell defining an inner volume for a sealant liquid, an inlet port for introduction of a gas under pressure into the inner volume, an outlet port for injection of the sealant liquid after preservation of the inlet port, a closure unit configurable between a closed position in which the sealant liquid is held in the inner volume and an open position reached after pressurisation of the inlet port, in which the inlet port and the outlet port are connected by means of the inner volume. In particular, the inlet port and the outlet port are on opposing sides with respect to the inner volume.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for sealant liquid forrepairing inflatable objects, in particular pneumatic, and to a repairand inflation kit comprising such a container.

BACKGROUND ART

Containers of sealant liquid are known comprising a bottle and a fluidassembly connected to the bottle and having an inlet and an outlet. Inparticular, the inlet and the outlet are arranged on the same side ofthe container and close to a mechanical and/or fluid connection of thecontainer with a compressor and/or with a support to keep the containerin a position of use.

This results in a relatively significant complication of the connectionarea between container and the compressor or support and placesrestrictions on the geometry of the compressor or support for thecontainer and of the connection with the compressor. The componentsrequired indeed tend to be close and this may require the creation ofpassages with intricate paths.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to make a container for a sealantliquid which is exempt from the drawback specified above.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a container forsealant liquid according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container for a sealant liquidaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the container in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compressor connectible to thecontainer in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of an area for mechanical and fluidconnection between the container in FIG. 1 and the compressor in FIG. 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Numeral 1 in FIG. 1 illustrates a container for a sealant liquid as awhole, having an inlet port 2, a bottom 3 defining the inlet port 2, aside wall 4 coming out of bottom 3 and a head portion 5 mutually opposedto bottom 3 with respect to the side wall 4.

The head portion 5 comprises a head wall 6 fixed to the side wall 4 todefine an inner volume 7, a flexible outlet tube 8 connectible directlyto an inflatable article, preferably pneumatic, and a case 9 fixed inreleasable way to the side wall 4 and/or to the head wall 6 to hold andprotect the flexible outlet tube 8 when container 1 is not in use.Bottom 3, the side wall 4 and the head wall 6 define a shell forcontaining a predefined quantity of sealant liquid suitable forrepairing an inflatable article, for example pneumatic.

Preferably, case 9 comprises a concave shell which, with the head wall6, defines a housing volume inside of which the flexible outlet tube 8is wound when case 9 is fixed to the side wall 4 and/or to the head wall6 and container 1 is not in use.

Advantageously, case 9 is configured so that the flexible outlet tube 8is visible from the outside when case 9 is fixed to the side wall 4and/or to the head wall 6. To such an end, case 9 defines an opening 10or an area for transparent or translucent material. As shown in thefigures, case 9 is preferably a cap.

The inlet port 2 on the opposing longitudinal side of the flexibleoutlet tube 8 is surrounded by a single sealing ring 11, for example anO-ring, and the latter is surrounded by an annular wall 12 which facesand surrounds the sealing ring 11 to protect the latter for exampleduring transport and/or during connection with a compressor.

The inlet port 2 and the annular wall 12 define a projection R of bottom3 which connects to a pressurised air source as described below.

In container 1, the inner volume 7 accommodates a closure unit 13 whichconnects the inlet port 2 to an outlet port 14 and comprises a mobileelement 15 configurable in a closed position in which the sealant liquidis held and stored in the inner volume 7 and container 1 may be storedwhile waiting to be used, and an open position reached afterpressurisation of the inlet port 2 in which the inlet port 2 and theoutlet port 14 are connected by means of the inner volume 7. The outletport 14 is in turn connected to the flexible outlet tube 8 to inject thesealant liquid into a pneumatic object when the inlet port 2 ispressurised and the closure unit 13 is configured in the open position.The inlet port 2 and the outlet port 14 are on opposing end sides withrespect to the inner volume 7 and the sealant liquid flows at least alength from bottom 3 to the head wall 6 inside the closure unit 13during injection.

Preferably, the mobile element 15 moves in a rectilinear directiondefined by means of a guide 16 arranged preferably between the inlet andoutlet ports 2, 14. Advantageously, guide 16 is tubular and accommodatesthe mobile element 15 which carries a plurality of sealing rings slidingon guide 16.

The mobile element 15 defines a first passage 17, in particular aconduit, which leads into an inlet 18 of the closure unit 13 and asecond passage 19, in particular a conduit, which leads into an outlet20 of the closure unit 13 defined by the head wall 6 (FIG. 2).Furthermore, in the open position shown in FIG. 2, passage 17 leads intothe inner volume 7 through an opening 21 defined by guide 16 and passage19 leads into the inner volume 7 by means of an opening 22, it alsodefined by guide 16. In particular, opening 21 is closer to outlet 20than opening 22 in the longitudinal direction of movement of the mobileelement 15 along guide 16.

The travel of the mobile element 15 and the position of the sealingrings depends on the position of the openings 21, 22. In the position inFIG. 2, sealing rings 23, 24 are spaced apart in longitudinal directionto be on opposing sides with respect to opening 22. In closed position,a third sealing ring 25 on the opposing side to ring 24 with respect toring 23, is arranged so as to be mutually opposed to the latter withrespect to opening 22.

The mobile element 15 also carries two other sealing rings 26 and 27,spaced apart in direction to be on opposing sides of opening 21 when themobile element 15 is in the closed position. Guide 16 has continuouswalls at least in the contact zone with the sealing rings 23-27 so thatwhen the closure unit 13 is in the closed position, the openings 21, 22are sealed with respect to inlet 18 and to outlet 20. Furthermore, inthe open position, the sealing ring 24 isolates opening 22 from inlet18.

Container 1 may be made by friction welding components made by injectingand moulding a plastic material. Preferably, bottom 3, the side wall 4and guide 16 are made in a single concave body. Wall 6 is made bymoulding in a single body. Furthermore, the mobile element 15 is mountedon guide 16 in the closed position and the predetermined quantity ofsealant liquid for the repair is poured into the hollow body defined bybottom 3 and by the side wall 4. Finally, the head wall 6 is welded onsaid hollow body.

To delimit the closed position of the mobile element 15 in particularduring assembly, there is provided a stop 28 which is preferablyarranged inside projection R of bottom 3 defining the inlet port 2.

To delimit the open position of the mobile element 15, there is provideda stop 29 preferably defined by a tubular element 30 of the head wall 6which couples with guide 16 and defines outlet 20. The tubular element30 defines a cavity 31 of the head wall 6 facing towards case 9.Preferably, an end portion 32 of the flexible outlet tube 8 insidecavity 31 is firmly, irremovably connected mechanically to the head wall6. Advantageously, the head wall 6 comprises a connector 33 insidecavity 31 and on which the end portion 32 is fitted and possibly fixedby means of a retaining ring.

FIG. 3 shows a compressor unit 40 connectible to container 1 to form arepair and inflation kit for inflatable articles, preferably pneumatic.

The compressor unit 40 comprises a casing 41 accommodating an electricmotor M and a compressor C (shown only diagrammatically) driven by theelectric motor M. In a lower area, shell 40 defines a groove 42 foraccommodating an electrical cable 43 to be connected to a source ofelectric voltage for supplying the electric motor M.

In an upper area, casing 41 defines an opening 44 connected tocompressor C and configured to accommodate projection R defining theinlet port 2 so that the latter may receive a flow of pressurised air.Furthermore, the compressor unit 40 comprises a manometer 45, a pushbutton 46 for turning on the electric motor M and a push button 47 foractivating a relief valve (not shown) to prevent overpressures in afluid line on board the compressor unit 40 and/or to lower the pressureof the pneumatic object if the manometer signals excessive pressure. Thefluid line of the compressor unit 40 comprises passages and/or channelsand/or conduits for transmitting a flow of pressurised air to opening44.

The compressor unit 40 also comprises a flexible tube 48 connected tocompressor C in parallel to opening 44 so as to follow an operation ofinflating and/or regulating the pressure also when container 1 is notconnected to opening 44. In use, the flexible tube 48 is connected bythe user directly to the pneumatic object to perform the operation ofregulating the pressure. Similarly, the flexible outlet tube 8 is alsoconnected directly to the pneumatic object by the user.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the mechanical and fluid connection betweencontainer 1 and compressor 40. In particular, the kit comprises a valvebody 49 fluidly connected or connectible to compressor C, and aretaining interface 50 for keeping container 1 connected to compressor Cin a position ready for use. The valve body 49 is fluidly connected toopening 44 and to the flexible tube 48 so that the latter and container1 are in parallel with respect to compressor C.

A shutter 51 of the valve body 49 is kept in a position by a spring 52such that opening 44 is fluidly closed and compressor C is connected tothe flexible tube 48. Thereby, when the electric motor M is turned on,the pressurised air may inflate the pneumatic object by means of theflexible tube 48.

FIG. 4 shows a further position of shutter 51 in which compressor C isfluidly connected to opening 44 to pressurise container 1 and theflexible tube 48 is isolated from compressor C. Opening 44 and theflexible tube 48 are fluidly isolated by means of respective seals 52,53 which selectively close respective passages 54 and 55: passage 54 isfluidly connected to opening 44 and passage 55 is fluidly connected tothe flexible tube 48. Thus, the valve body 49 is three-way and with thepassages 54, 55, is part of the fluid line of the compressor unit 40.

The retaining interface 50 is preferably connected to the valve body 49to define at least a length of passage 54 and comprises a mobile insert56 engaging selectively in a recess 57 of projection R defining theinlet port 2 of container 1. Recess 57 is therefore a mechanicalconnection for connecting container 1 to a support, in particular tocasing 41, so that the container is kept in a position of use for theinjection of the sealant liquid.

Preferably, the retaining interface 50 and recess 57 are configured sothat a support 58 on bottom 3 of container 1 contacts a head wall ofcasing 41. Support 58 surrounds both the inlet port 2 and opening 44,and may be continuous or annular, or discontinuous and follow a sectorof circumference. Support 58 is longitudinally spaced apart from recess57 and has a non-vertical surface, preferably horizontal, so as tosubstantially load, for example more than 50%, the weight of container 1on the head wall 59 when container 1 is connected to the compressor unit40 and is ready for use. Preferably, casing 41 comprises an upper shell60 made by means of injection moulding of a plastic material, and thehead wall 59 is part of said shell.

Preferably, the retaining interface 50 is connected to the valve body 59cold to prevent damaging seal 52, preferably by means of both areleasable and non-releasable threaded or snap connection.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the retaining interface 50 defines anannular seat 61 which surrounds a portion of passage 54 which can becoupled fluidly with the inlet port 2. The annular seat 61 accommodatesthe annular wall 12 when container 1 is coupled to compressor 40.

In use, container 1 is assembled on compressor 40 to inject the sealantliquid. When the mobile element 15 is moved to the open position, thelevel of sealant liquid may be both below and above opening 21. Thepressure inside container 1 pushes the sealant liquid towards the outletport 14 through opening 22, which is close to bottom 3. To allow a moreeffective flow of sealant liquid towards opening 22, bottom 3 convergestowards opening 22, and the latter is surrounded by converging walls asshown in FIG. 2.

Container 1 and kit 1, 40 according to the present invention allow thefollowing advantages to be obtained.

The connection interface with compressor 40 is simplified. Furthermore,it is possible to connect container 1 also in middle areas of compressor40 without there being a need to provide a seat or other interface forthe flexible outlet tube 8.

Support 58 and recess 57 are arranged to define a particularly compactmechanical connection of the container in axial direction.

Container 1 is shaped to be made by means of friction welding toincrease the resistance to pressure and reduce the risk of undesiredlosses of sealant liquid.

Case 9 protects the flexible outlet tube 8 before the container is usedand the flexible outlet tube 8 may be easily identified by the user bymeans of opening 10.

It is finally apparent that modifications or variants may be made tocontainer 1 and to kit 1, 40 herein described and illustrated, withoutdeparting from the scope of protection as defined by the appendedclaims.

In particular, the valve body 49 and the retaining interface 50 may alsobe used in kits not comprising a compressor but in any case suitable forbeing connected to a pressurised air source, such as for example apneumatic brake system of a heavy vehicle. In such a case, opening 44 ispermanently connected to the fluid line and the latter is connectible tothe pressure source in a releasable way. The fluid line is accommodatedin a shell, for example similar to casing 41, which contributes tokeeping or keeps container 1 in a position suitable for injectingsealant liquid.

1. A container for sealant liquid to repair an inflatable article,preferably pneumatic, comprising a shell (3, 4, 6) defining an innervolume (7) for a sealant liquid, an inlet port (2) for introduction of agas underpressure into the inner volume (7), an outlet port (14) forinjection of the sealant liquid after pressurization of the inlet port(2), a closure unit (13) configurable between a closed position, whereinthe sealant liquid is held in the inner volume (7) and an open positionreached after pressurisation of the inlet port (2), wherein the inletport (2) and the outlet port (14) are connected by means of the innervolume (7), characterised by the inlet port (2) and the outlet port (14)being on opposing sides with respect to the Inner volume (7).
 2. Thecontainer according to claim 1, characterised in that the closure unit(13) comprises an inlet (18) fluidly connected to the inlet port (2) andan outlet (20) fluidly connected to the outlet port (14) and at leastone passage (17; 19) to connect to each other the inlet and the outlet(18, 20) so that the pressure at the inlet port (2) is transmitted tothe outlet port (14).
 3. The container according to claim 2,characterised in that the closure unit (13) comprises a mobile element(15) sliding along a guide (16) and in that the passage (17; 19) isdefined by said mobile element (15).
 4. The container according to claim3, characterised by comprising a bottom (3) defining said inlet port (2)and a side wall (4) coming out of the bottom (3), wherein the bottom(3), the side wall (4) and the guide (16) are manufactured in a singlebody.
 5. The container according to claim 3, characterised in that saidmobile element (15) defines a further passage (19; 17), said passage(17) fluidly connecting the inlet (18) with the inner volume (7) andsaid further passage (19) connecting the inner volume (7) with theoutlet (20).
 6. The container according to claim 5, characterised inthat said passage and further passage (17, 19) is fluidly connected tothe inner volume (7) by means of a first and a second port (21,22)respectively, the first port (21) having a distance from the outlet port(14) which is shorter with respect to the one of the second port (22).7. The container according to claim 3, characterised in that the shell(3, 4, 6) comprises a tubular element (30) coupled with the guide (16)and defining a stop for delimiting an open position of the mobileelement (15).
 8. The container according to claim 1, characterised inthat said inlet port (2) is surrounded by a sealing ring (11) and bycomprising an annular wall (12) facing and surrounding the sealing ring(11).
 9. The container according to claim 1, characterised by comprisinga connection (57) adapted to be connected to a support (41) to define aposition of use of the container, said connection (57) being arranged onthe opposing side of one of the inlet and outlet ports (2, 14) withrespect to the inner volume (7).
 10. The container according to claim 1,characterised in that the shell (3, 4, 6) comprises a head wall (6)defining a cavity (31) and by comprising a flexible outlet tube (8)having an end portion (32), said end portion (32) being connectedmechanically to the head wall (6) in the cavity (31).
 11. A kit (1, 40)for repair and inflation of inflatable articles, preferably tires,comprising a casing (41), a fluid line (49, 54, 55) housed in the casing(41) and adapted to be connected to a compressor unit (M, C), an opening(44) fluidly connected to the fluid line (49, 54, 55), a retainer (50)and a container (1) according to claim 1, and also comprising aprojection (R) connectible to the retainer (50) to engage the container(1) to the casing (41) in a releasable way and such that the inlet port(2) is connectable to the opening (44) to transmit a flow of pressurisedair from the fluid line (49, 54, 55) to the inner volume (7).
 12. Thekit according to claim 11, characterised in that the container (1)comprises a support (58) contacting the Casing (41) when the retainer(50) engages said projection (R), said support (58) surrounding theopening (44) and the inlet port (2).
 13. The kit according to claim 12,characterised in that the retainer (50) and the projection (R) define asnap-in type connection.
 14. The kit according to claim 11,characterised in that said casing (41) comprises a shell (60) madethrough injection of a polymer material and said support (58) being incontact with said shell (60).
 15. The kit according to claim 11, havinga container therein said inlet port (2) is surrounded by a sealing ring(11) and comprising an annular wall (12) facing and surrounding thesealing ring (11), characterised in that the retainer (50) defines anannular seat (61) surrounding a length (54) of the fluid line (49, 54,55) connectible to the inlet port (2), the annular seat (61)accommodating the annular wall (12).